Note: A full summary of today's Security Council meeting on Yemen will be made available upon completion.
Briefings
DAVID GRESSLY, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Yemen, providing a progress report on the United Nations operation to prevent a catastrophic oil spill from the decaying SFO Safer tanker, noted that, since the salvage ship Endeavor arrived on the site on 30 May, Smith Salvage, the subsidiary contracted by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has taken steps to stabilize the decaying tanker to prepare for the removal of over one million barrels of oil. He went on to enumerate work he has witnessed over the past five weeks, including the inspection of the vessel; a structural assessment of the hull to ensure its thickness level can withstand the forces generated by the oil transfer; pumping of inner gases into the cargo tank to reduce risk of fire or explosion; continuous testing to ensure the atmosphere is at a safe level, among others. As a result, Smith Salvage has certified to UNDP that the oil transfer can proceed, with a level of risk within an acceptable range, he said.
Nonetheless, the upcoming oil transfer poses a residual risk, he went on, noting that the United Nations and partners had therefore put in place a crisis management team based in Hudaydah, which is equipped to respond to incidents. He took note of other preparatory steps for the operation, including the waiver of all fees associated with the Endeavour's arrival by authorities in Sana'a, and access, security and technical support provided by the Safer Technical Committee in Hudaydah to the operation, in line with the 5 March 2022 Memorandum of Understanding. Amid a sensitive security environment, the Committee was quick to resolve issues arising from miscommunications when they arose, he said, adding that authorities in Sana'a today authorized the transfer of oil to the replacement vessel.
Looking ahead, he said that the replacement vessel will prepare to commence the oil transfer early next week, which will take two weeks to complete once it begins. The moment of the start of that operation will be one at which "the whole world can heave a sigh of relief, with an environmental and economic catastrophe from a massive oil spill averted". However, the next critical step would be the installation of a "calm buoy" to which the replacement vessel can be safely installed by September, given that currents and winds turn dangerous in October, he said.
He welcomed the critical political, technical and financial support of Yemeni authorities to the operation, noting that their $5 billion funding made them its sixth-largest donor. He also welcomed support from a broad coalition of groups, including Greenpeace and the United Nations country team, while taking note of the operation's top five donors: Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Germany, United States and the United Kingdom. A sum of $25 million is still needed to repay the money borrowed from the Central Emergency Relief Fund, the bridging fund which enabled UNDP to begin the operation, he added.
HANS GRUNDBERG, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, said that, despite the expiry of the truce, Yemen and its people continue to feel the benefits from the longest period of relative calm since the beginning of the conflict, highlighting that the truce contributed to a 40 per cent decrease in grave violations against children. However, more progress is needed, he pointed out. He condemned the mortar attack last week that injured five children in Hays district, south of Hudaydah, and called on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and prevent and end violations against children. Commercial flights between Sana'a and Amman continue, he said, welcoming the first commercial flights in seven years between Sana'a and Saudi Arabia, carrying Yemeni hajj pilgrims. Fuel also continues to flow steadily through Hudaydah's ports, he added.
"Most importantly, this period of relative calm has opened the door for serious discussions with Yemeni actors on the way forward towards ending the conflict," he emphasized. Ongoing discussions must reach a serious breakthrough for a sustainable end to the war, he stressed, voicing gratitude for the support to that end of regional actors, especially Saudi Arabia and Oman. His office recently convened the parties in Amman to discuss further detainee releases, building on the successful large-scale release of detainees in March, in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), he said, also voicing gratitude to the Government of Jordan for its support to the work of his office. "For more than a year, we have seen some important and positive steps that have de-escalated violence and helped to improve the lives of Yemenis," he emphasized.
However, the situation on the ground remains fragile and challenging, he said, noting that, on the military situation, although fighting has decreased markedly since the start of the truce, armed clashes have taken place in Dhale', Ta'iz, Hudaydah, Marib and Shabwa. Voicing concern about reports of troop movements and a recent parade of fighters in Ibb, he called on the parties to stop provocative military actions and rhetoric that raise the spectre of further escalation. The parties continue to battle on a different front - the economy, he added, noting that the struggle to control revenue-generating ports, trade routes, the banking sector, currency and natural-resource wealth has become inseparable from the political and military conflict. The value of the Yemeni riyal against the United States dollar in Aden has decreased by over 25 per cent in the past 12 months, he added.
Detailing other challenges, including freedom-of-movement restrictions, compounded by landmines, unexploded ordnance and climate-change-related extreme weather events, he said the restriction that women and girls travel accompanied by a male relative has expanded significantly over the past year, especially in Ansar Allah-controlled areas. The way forward, although challenging, is well-lit, he pointed out, stressing the need for the parties to immediately stop military provocations and prepare for and agree to a sustainable nationwide ceasefire. They also must immediately de-escalate economically and address near- and longer-term economic priorities. Moreover, the parties must make progress on agreeing to a clear path to restarting an intra-Yemeni political process under United Nations auspices, he emphasized, calling on Council members to wield their influence to encourage the parties to stop escalatory actions and work along the path he outlined today.
JOYCE MSUYA, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, warned that "humanitarian needs in Yemen will remain high for the foreseeable future", noting that, this year, the humanitarian community seeks to reach 17.3 million people, out of a staggering 21.6 million in need of assistance. At the current pace, the number of arriving migrants is expected to double from last year, she said. They usually arrive in Yemen seeking better opportunities elsewhere. Once in Yemen, however, they face exploitation and violence, she said. Asylum-seekers and refugees use the same routes, arrive in mixed flows with migrants and face similar threats. Overall, the humanitarian community estimates that 300,000 migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees need humanitarian assistance this year, she said, calling on the relevant parties to fulfil their obligations to meet the essential needs - such as health, food, water and shelter - of all civilians under their control.
Stressing that the staggering number of people in need can be reduced only by stabilizing the economy, she called for the long-overdue resumption of oil exports from Government-held areas, which is also critical for paying public sector salaries. The United Nations is enhancing its presence in the divided city of Ta'iz to work with local authorities and communities to increase access to safe drinking water on both sides of the city and bolster socioeconomic development. In Houthi-controlled areas, restrictions on the movement of female national staff continue to impede the Organization's ability to carry out vital projects for women and girls, she pointed out, drawing attention to delays in receiving authorization to carry out assessments and attempts to interfere in tendering processes. In Government-controlled areas, authorities have begun processing work permits for international aid staff, after some delays, she added.
Turning to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which is funded at just 29 per cent, she said: "The grim consequence of this is that some activities are forced to scale back." The World Food Programme's (WFP) malnutrition treatment activities are operating at 40 per cent of what is required, she noted, warning that, by September, WFP may be forced to cut as many as 5 million people from food assistance. Lastly, she called for immediate release of the five United Nations staff abducted in Abyan in February 2022, the two staff detained in Sana'a since November 2021 and for the protection of all humanitarian workers. "As the political process progresses, we must remain vigilant and active on the humanitarian front," she said, calling for the Council's support.
Statements
BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom), Council President for July, spoke in her national capacity to note that the Organization still needs $25 million to safely secure the oil and complete the job involving the Safer tanker. "The funding gap includes a UN loan, which was crucial to getting us this far," she pointed out, adding that the Organization is compromised in its ability to respond to current and future crises until this is repaid. Noting persistent concerns regarding the humanitarian situation, she emphasized that the Houthis' anti-vaccination policy is a serious threat to public health and urged the relevant authorities to allow for urgent vaccination campaigns. Further, she spotlighted the ongoing detention of 13 members of the Baha'i community, calling on the Houthis to uphold the freedom of religion and to release the remaining detainees, especially those in need of urgent medical care.
HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN (Ghana), also speaking for Gabon and Mozambique, noted cautious optimism about Yemen's peace prospects. A "rare period of relative calm" has created an enabling environment for other benefits of the truce to take root, he observed, spotlighting increased commercial flights between Sana'a and Amman and the first flight from Yemen's capital to Jeddah. He also recalled that 900 conflict-related detainees were released in March, expressing hope that all detainees will eventually be released. Condemning recent military hostilities along the front lines, he said that regional efforts remain key for peace. In that regard, Oman and Saudi Arabia play a pivotal role through their attempts to resolve Yemen's crisis. Turning to the dire humanitarian situation, he called for increased international support to fund the humanitarian response plan for Yemen, which is currently 70 per cent underfunded.
The humanitarian crisis is compounded by a declining economic condition, he emphasized, urging the Council to end the economic blockade. He also called on the Houthis to grant humanitarian access to those in need. Recognizing the risk posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war, he underlined the importance of demining efforts to free up affected agricultural lands for food production and reiterated a call for effective international and local collaboration to this end. Turning to the Safer oil tanker, he urged the international community to help bridge the outstanding funding gap of $28 million. While a Yemeni-led and -owned political process remains the best solution, he said the renewal of the truce and nationwide ceasefire is necessary for this process to commence. "The parties must work assiduously towards the creation of that condition," he underscored.
ALEXANDRE OLMEDO (France) called on all parties - particularly the Houthis - to work towards a durable national ceasefire to end the situation of "neither war nor peace". France welcomes the renewal of UNMHA and calls on the Houthis to refrain from actions that lead to economic damage, including impeding the import of essential goods. Turning to diplomatic efforts, he commended the Special Envoy and regional actors, such as Oman and Saudi Arabia, calling for a comprehensive political solution with women politicians involved in negotiations. On the worrying humanitarian situation, he urged increased funding for the humanitarian response plan and called for the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian workers. While welcoming the reduction in the recruitment of children in 2022, he nevertheless called on the Houthis to stop recruiting or indoctrinating children through so-called summer camps.
FERIT HOXHA (Albania), noting the benefits of the truce, urged all relevant actors not to waste this window of hope. He voiced concern over the volatile security situation in Yemen, as well as over reports that the Houthis have blocked oil and essential goods. Condemning all restrictions on the freedom of movement of female relief workers and others, he also called for full accountability for gross violations of children's rights. Further, he spotlighted the mistreatment of religious minorities in the country, calling on the Houthis to immediately release Baha'i abductees. Staff of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations - and other civilians abducted by armed groups or forcibly disappeared - must be released unconditionally and immediately. While peace is on the horizon, that prospect is fragile, he emphasized, calling on parties to accelerate their efforts towards sustained peace.
HERNÁN PÉREZ LOOSE (Ecuador) expressed hope that in the short-term progress can be made towards the second phase of prisoner release. Urging the parties to reach an inclusive agreement and a definitive ceasefire, he said this will enable the country to focus its efforts on its political, economic and social recovery. He pointed out that 20 million Yemenis require assistance, while expressing concern over impediments to humanitarian aid and the work of women. In this regard, he called for enabling unhindered humanitarian access to support 4.5 million displaced persons and the growing number of Yemenis facing food insecurity. He called for continuous clearing of anti-personnel mines and explosive devices which prevent the use of the land for productive activities to fuel the economy. He also reaffirmed the need to consolidate implementation of the 2014 Plan of Action and the 2018 Road Map, while also underscoring the importance of women's participation in the peacebuilding process.
...
